BEST
Breakfast

STACKS

This restaurant's name conjures up images of pancakes and waffles, and well it should, since Stacks serves up a variety of same. Its signature "lumberjack" pancakes are made with blueberries, bananas, raisins, walnuts and wheat germ, and diners who want flapjacks with just one or two of these ingredients are also in luck.

All this could make for a brilliant morning load of carbs, but Stacks' management is mindful of its customers who are embracing the Atkins diet. The restaurant offers smoothies, omelets and scrambles to those who are watching their carb intake, and servers are happy to substitute fruit, cottage cheese or tomatoes for bread or potatoes. Many of Stacks' lunch offerings can also be modified to meet Atkins' specifications. This willingness to meet the customers' needs might explain why Stacks has been the winner in this category three years running.

Stacks, 139 E. Campbell Ave., 408.376.3516, www.stacks
restaurant.com.

BEST
Fine Dining/
Cocktail

CAPERS EAT & DRINK

Nestled in Kirkwood Plaza, Capers Eat & Drink's unprepossessing exterior belies the posh décor within. The restaurant's curved atrium leads to a wood-paneled, mirror-lined bar that circles back on itself into infinity. The dining room has a similar cozy-yet-spacious design, so that once customers are safely ensconced at their tables, they can forget the bustle of Campbell Avenue that's just outside the door and focus on the dining experience. And an all-window storefront and skylights in the ceiling mean the place is awash in light, causing the bottles of fine wines and spirits that line the walls and sit behind the counter to glisten brilliantly in the sun, even inside. It's a tempting sight for diners and those already at the bar.

Capers' menu is extensive enough to require diners' full attention as they're deciding whether to start their meal with steak bites accompanied by a cabernet dipping sauce or a chilled poached salmon salad. Entrees range from an Angus burger to a portobello mushroom sauté to scampi prawns. The restaurant's signature dish is not your mother's meatloaf but is made with ham, bacon and Swiss cheese and topped with a wild mushroom demi-glace.

The wine list is just as varied, but customers who have a hard time deciding whether white or red goes best with pork chops can ask their server for some navigational aid.

Along with wine, refreshing two-for-one martinis on Monday and Tuesday evenings are only one reason that Capers earned the reputation of best place for cocktails in Campbell. Its ambience, the friendliness of staff and quality of the drinks have as much to do with it as anything else, said manager Abby Ebrihimi.

A Campbell establishment for three years, Capers now has plans to branch out, expecting to open a new restaurant in downtown San Jose by August 2004.

Capers Eat & Drink, 1710 W. Campbell Ave., 408.374.5777, www.caperseat and drink.com.

BEST
Takeout Meals

BAJA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL

In a fast-food landscape filled with heat lamps and microwaves, Baja Fresh stands out for its lack of the same. Whether they call in their order or place it at the counter, customers expect their tacos, burritos and specialty items to be made from the freshest ingredients available, to say nothing of the salsa-bar fixings.

Those who are wary of placing to-go orders over the phone without knowing quite what they're getting can get their questions answered at www.bajafresh.com. The corporate website lays out the ingredients and nutritional information for all Baja Fresh's menu items and even posts photos of each dish for customers of the "seeing is believing" bent.

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, 1976 S. Bascom Ave., 408.377.2600, www.bajafresh.com.

BEST
$5 Lunch

SUBWAY/TOGO'S

With four Subway locations in Campbell, finding a Subway sandwich shop should be easy, and finding a delicious sandwich inside for $5 should be a piece of cake—except it serves yummy cookies for dessert, not cake.

There are eight "Fresh Value Meals," which offer a 6-inch sandwich, soft drink and choice of chips or two cookies for $4 or less, and three of those sandwiches can grow to a foot-long size and still stay under the fiver mark. Included are standard deli fare such as the cold-cut trio and tuna. If a gourmet-sounding hot sub appeals to the palate, the sweet onion chicken teriyaki just might do the job.

A registered dietician compiled the nutritional information for the chain's menu. If customers are counting fat grams, they can choose from seven offerings with 6 or fewer grams of fat, and two of those can be purchased in the foot-long size for $5 or less.

Campbell residents and workers don't need to travel to any of the other 400 Togo's shops throughout the United States, when the prime corner location at the Pruneyard is right there, serving up a variety of 28 different sandwiches, all reasonably priced at less than $5.

For quick, on-the-go food, employees at the nearby Pruneyard Towers can run over to Togo's, grab a salami-and-cheese on freshly baked bread, and be back in a cubicle in no time. For the health conscious or those who just want a crunchy meal and need to get their greens, the eatery offers four salads for less than $5.

Longtime Campbell residents will remember when the shop was located in the brick building across the street, but no matter where it is located, readers have consistently rated Togo's as the best in Campbell.

Subway, 2236 S. Bascom Ave., 408.879.0193; 2006 Winchester Blvd., 408.370.9003; 3495 S. Bascom Ave., 408.377.9227; 882 W. Hamilton Ave., 408.370.2133, www.subway.com.

Togo's, Pruneyard Shopping Center at 866 E. Campbell Ave., 408.371.3696. Fax orders for pickup to 408.371.2096.

BEST
Yogurt/Ice Cream

COLD STONE CREAMERY

Walking through the door marked "Little Ice Cream Makers Only" isn't necessary in order to delight in this garden of refreshing frozen treats. When the aroma of waffle cones wafts pass any nose, only the strongest-willed can resist the temptation to deliver at least a "like it"-size scoop to demanding taste buds.

There are more than 20 toppings, such as brownies, nuts, graham crackers, Twix, Kit Kat, coconut, Gummy Bears, and more, offered for mixing up on the granite "cold stone," and a wide-enough variety of freshly made ice creams, yogurts and Italian sorbets to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Proven-to-please combinations are available, but customers can also invent their own combinations for sundaes, floats, shakes, and smoothies. There is even a "Sinless Sweet Cream" ice cream for the sugar watchers. It is nonfat and sweetened by Splenda; there is no sugar added. Cheat a little and pile it on top of a chocolate-coated waffle cone. The proof is in the tasting, which is why readers have once again voted Cold Stone Creamery the best ice cream and yogurt shop in Campbell.

Cold Stone Creamery, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., No. 160, 408.559.1120, www.cold stonecreamery.com.

BEST
Place to See & Be Seen
Best Outdoor Patio

KATIE BLOOM'S

What better place to be seen relaxing, or posing, than out on the open-air patio in front of the Irish pub with the friendliest wait staff in town? The attitude of Katie Bloom's staff is as lively and welcoming as the atmosphere of the pub, and patrons' ages vary from too young to buy their own Hefeweizen to old enough to be looking back on the days of being carded.

If temperatures drop, it doesn't seem to bother anyone who wants to be seen alfresco, and staffers say customers will cluster under the heat lamps on those chilly afternoons and evenings.

Standard fare such as crunchy fish 'n' chips is a must-have with a quenching beer. For those interested in something a little different, or who want to warm the bones when there's a cool, brisk spring breeze, there are plenty of yummy coffee drinks, such as the Irish coffee with a shot of Irish whiskey (naturally) or an Italian coffee with a kick of smooth Creamsicle-flavored Tuaca. For the ultra lip-smacker, try a Keoke coffee with a dash of Baileys, Kahlua and Tuaca.

Katie Bloom's, 369 E. Campbell Ave., 408.379.9687, www.katieblooms.com.

BEST
Sandwich

TOGO'S

It's no wonder that readers voted Togo's best sandwich in Campbell with the variety and freshness served up there every day. The prime corner location in the Pruneyard Shopping Center makes it an easy stop-and-go for those on the run.

There are eight hot sandwiches—Togo's says its hot pastrami is voted best on the West Coast—and 16 cold meat sandwiches. Togo's says it uses about 15 million loaves of bread each year and 3.5 million pounds of turkey. No wonder, since it serves up turkey eight different ways—with cheese, cranberry, bacon, salami or a combination.

For those looking for something a little different or without meat, there are two avocado sandwiches, egg salad and cheese sandwiches, and a tasty, garlic-inspired hummus sub. And for lighter fare, any one of four salads can fill up a stomach while leaving room for chips or cookies.

Togo's, Pruneyard Shopping Center at 866 E. Campbell Ave., 408.371.3696. Fax orders for pickup to 408.371.2096.

BEST
Italian Food

MIO VICINO

For the third year in a row, Mio Vicino earns high marks from Italian food lovers in Campbell.

True to its name, Mio Vicino, which means "my neighborhood" in Italian, has the cozy feel of a trattoria in an Italian hill town. With indoor seating near the open kitchen and outdoor cafe-style eating,the restaurant suits any liking.

The green-and-white checkered tablecloths and colorful paintings add to the casual, family atmosphere. Whether feeding lunchtime cravings for zesty pesto or bringing in the dinner crowd with its popular chicken cannelloni, Mio Vicino serves up soups, salads, pizzas and pastas that are Italian favorites.

The restaurant packs as many as 200 people in on the weekends. And with its Italian dishes voted the best in Campbell for three years in a row, it's no wonder the place is molto bene.

Mio Vicino in historic downtown Campbell, 384 E. Campbell Ave., 408.378.0335.

BEST
Mexican Food

EL BURRO

Long before Mexican fast-food joints began cropping up, El Burro was at The Pruneyard offering homestyle dishes. Family-owned and -operated since 1971, the Spanish-style hacienda décor has stayed the same, as has the menu, for 33 years.

Owner and chef Mario Uribe serves generous plates of enchiladas, tostadas and tamales. The restaurant's specialty is its enchiladas served with selected chili pods. A popular, less spicy favorite is the enchiladas suizas with a creamy sauce.

Patrons say it's the food, service and atmosphere that keep them coming back.

The restaurant also accommodates large families and parties with its spacious patio dining area and two upstairs rooms that hold 75 and 100 people.

Hostess Veronica Diaz says she takes reservations on weekends.

After a meal at El Burro, a siesta might be in order.

El Burro in the Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., 408.371.5800.

BEST
Pizza

ROUND TABLE PIZZA

Always a favorite with Sharks fans and a popular franchise in the Bay Area, Round Table Pizza has been chosen by pie eaters as the best pizza in Campbell for the second year running.

Adults who worked there in their youth return with children of their own to devour the specialty pizzas, such as the Wombo Combo with its pepperoni, sausages, bacon, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, Roma tomatoes and green onion, or a good ol' standby, pepperoni and cheese. Non-meat lovers can enjoy a cheese-only or get some savory veggies tossed on for extra flavor. Guinevere's Garden Delight features Roma tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers, yellow onions and black olives sprinkled atop a blend of three cheeses.

Amid playoff fever, Sharks fans attending the games are hoping the team scores at least four goals in each game so they can exchange their game ticket for one of the restaurant's personal pan pizzas for free.

Round Table Pizza, 711 W. Hamilton Ave., 408.374.2640, www.roundtable pizza.com.

BEST
Asian Food

TSING TAO CHINESE RESTAURANT

Tucked next to Long's Drugs at the corner of San Tomas Aquino Road and W. Campbell Avenue, Tsing Tao has been unobtrusively situated in Campbell for 20 years.

For those who want to sate their appetite for Chinese food, the restaurant offers all the basics, such as chow mein, fried rice and mushu pork, plus a large seafood selection and cold dishes, including jellyfish.

Tsing Tao doesn't skimp on prix-fixe dinners. While most Chinese restaurants do not offer set menus for parties of more than four, Tsing Tao's will offer as many as six different, savory entrees.

Whether it's a luncheon special or a family dinner, this eatery's winning favorites and exotic specialties keep people in Campbell coming back for more.

A tropical fish aquarium entertains children and those coming by to pick up to-go orders.

Tsing Tao Chinese Restaurant, 104 N. San Tomas Aquino Road., 408.379.5169.

BEST
Hamburger

KIRK'S STEAKBURGERS

Where's the beef? It's at Kirk's Steakburgers, where top-quality meat more than makes the grade. A fixture on Bascom Avenue since Bill Sincere opened it in 1948, the restaurant is known for its juicy, mouth-watering burgers that would tempt a vegetarian to convert to eating meat. But Kirk's is not limited to beef; the employees also grill up hot dogs and chicken breasts that are finger-lickin' good.

Patrons can even watch their meat sizzle over a charcoal pit and add all the fixings of their own choosing at the condiments bar. Want 40 pickles with that? Move over, Burger King—this is where you can actually have it your way.

And burgers don't become dull when there are chili burgers and pineapple burgers to choose from.

With french fries, sodas and ice cream, Kirk's is a taste of America's burger-joint tradition.

Kirk's Steakburgers, 2388 S. Bascom Ave., 408.371.3565.

BEST
Coffeehouse

ORCHARD VALLEY COFFEE

Art for sale on the walls and a working fireplace make Orchard Valley Coffee more of a coffee "house" than a high-powered coffee "shop." Located in downtown Campbell, the establishment is the place to be for caffeine addicts, loungers and chess masters alike. On any given day, it is full of café-goers sipping cappuccinos at the counter, reading the local newspaper on cozy sofas or sitting at tables contemplating checkmates in four moves or less.

Laptop-toting customers can take advantage of the cafe's free wireless Internet connection; those who don't bring their own PCs can check their email on Internet-connected computers.

But coffee, of course, is Orchard Valley's specialty. It sports a full menu of caffeine-laced drinks, including a concoction of double-shot café borgias and simple drip coffee. Orchard Valley even has its own secret "Downtown Blend," a mix of Costa Rican, Brazilian, Ethiopian, Mexican and Sumatra beans, roasted in-house.

Orchard Valley Coffee, 349 E. Campbell Ave., 408.374.2115, www.orchardvalley coffee.com.

BEST
Seafood

HAWG'S SEAFOOD BAR

It has managed to score a threepeat. For the third year in a row, Campbell voted Hawg's Seafood Bar in Kirkwood Plaza the best place to get food that used to swim.

Having expanded to a second location a few years back—the other restaurant is in downtown San Jose—brothers Matthew and Steve Harding are busy managing a growing business. But their attention to the customers' needs hasn't abated.

Hawg's offers a set menu that includes everything from oyster shoots to garlic prawns with pasta to a seafood-and-vegetable medley. But what you see isn't all you can get. The Hawg's chefs will make any dish—within reason—that a customer wants, as long as the right ingredients are on hand. Especially popular is Hawg's crab sandwich.

Hawg's Seafood Bar, 1700 W. Campbell Ave., 408.379.9555, www.world2do.com/ hawgs.

BEST
Bar

KHARTOUM LOUNGE

It's only fitting that Campbell voted as its No. 1 watering hole a bar named after an oasis paradise. Khartoum, located on Orchard Valley Road near the Campbell Water Tower, sports eight television sets and stained-glass windows atop three of its four walls. The windows, designed by a local artist more than 30 years ago, when the bar opened, depict an ancient landscape of the prosperous city-oasis in Sudan after which the bar is named.

Although the inside resembles a saloon one might come across somewhere in the Wild West, the regulars are quick to point out its Sudanese connection. Like Khartoum the city in the desert expanse, Khartoum the bar is the best place to go for a friendly smile, casual conversation and, of course, a drink when the throat gets dry.

Khartoum Lounge, 300 Orchard City Dr., 408.379.6340.

BEST
Sushi

MICHI SUSHI

Although the outside of Michi Sushi is brightly lit and painted with multicolored fish, the restaurant on Winchester Boulevard is most known for the colorful dishes found inside. It's a prime destination for sushi lovers in the community.

But most regulars don't expect to have the typical sushi dishes when they sit down at Michi's bar. Although they can easily order servings of ahi, hamachi and togo nigiri sushi, the longtime Campbell establishment is most known for the specialty rolls that owner and chef Michi Shin concocts.

On the restaurant's menu, customers can find more than 100 different kinds of specialty rolls, with names like the Woo-woo roll, Shindows 2000 and the Blonde Bombshell. Specialty sushi are often named after the way the rolls look, Shin said. Michi Sushi even has one roll named after customer and former San Francisco 49ers star quarterback Jeff Garcia.

Michi Sushi, 2220 S. Winchester Blvd., 408.378.8000.